DNS Strength Training 1
DNS Strength Training 1
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Venue
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KELOWNA, BC
June 5-7, 2026
8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
VENUE: TBA
Prague School Fee
All attendees must pay a Prague School Registration Fee of 80 Euros directly to the Prague School through the button below (scroll to the bottom of the selected course page).
DNS Strength Training
The DNS strength training track is designed to help coaches, athletes, and medical professionals apply DNS to the strength training profession. It is divided into three primary courses, DNS-ST1, DNS-ST2, and DNS-ST3, which expose attendees to DNS principles (functional joint centration, sagittal stability, developmental kinesiology, etc.), assessments, and exercises based on developmental kinesiology, which are then applied to traditional strength training.
Whether you are a coach wanting to gain a better understanding of movement or a clinician who integrates strength training into the rehabilitation process, these courses are designed for you.
Course Highlights
DNS Strength Training courses are 3-day, 24 hour courses, featuring a strong practical components,with a 65:35 practical-theory ratio.
DNS is a revolutionary perspective on evaluating and rehabilitating postural function that will greatly enhance any clinical rehabilitation or strength and conditioning program.
DNS-ST1 is an introductory course designed for both strength training and medical professionals with the singular focus of equipping attendees with the skills to effectively apply the powerful concepts of DNS to traditional strength training movements such as pressing, pulling, hinging and squatting. It is an entry-level course; as such, no prior DNS experience is required to attend.
Objectives:
- Introduce fundamental DNS concepts such as functional joint centration & ontogenesis.
- Cover the anatomy and mechanics of trunk stabilization.
- Cover multiple DNS tests for trunk stability.
- Cover physiological and pathological postures.
- Workshop DNS exercises based in developmental kinesiology from newborn to approximately 6 months.
- Apply DNS concepts to common bilateral, sagittal plane, strength training movements such as pushing, pulling, hinging and squatting. All strength training movements are bilateral with symmetrical loads.
Goals:
- Attendees will be able to apply DNS concepts to common bilateral, sagittal plane, strength training movements such as pushing, pulling, hinging and squatting.
- Attendees will be able to perform basic DNS tests to properly identify instability in their patients/athletes.
- Attendees will be able to properly assess and correct respiration.
- Attendees will be able to cue and teach proper respiration.
DNS Assessments Covered:
- Seated Diaphragm Test
- Supine IAP Test
- Arm Elevation Test
- Quadruped (Sit-Backs, Rocking, and Rocking into 6 Months Prone)
- Bear Position
- Squat Assessment
Strength Training Movements Covered:
- Hinging: Romanian Deadlift. (RDL), Kettlebell Deadlift, Sumo Deadlift, Conventional Deadlift, Modified Sumo Deadlift.
- Squatting: Goblet Squat
- Pressing: Bench Press, Barbell Overhead Press, Push-Ups
- Pulling: Pull-Ups, Chin-Ups, Bent Row, Horizontal Row
DNS Strength Training Certification
To become a Certified DNS Strength Coach (DNS-SC), one must attend each of the core DNS Strength Training courses (DNS-ST1, DNS-ST2, & DNS ST-3).
After the DNS-ST2 course attendees must pass a test. The test following DNS-ST2 is an on-line, multiple choice test that can be completed at home. This test is open book. Attendees will have 1 year after the course to pass the examination. The student gets a maximum of three attempts to pass the test.
Students are recommended to retake the course and then to take the online test again in case of failing to pass the test on the three attempts. As soon as submitting the test the student receives results by email. Passing the online test is a prerequisite before taking the final practical test, and being certified as a DNS Strength Coach.
The final test will be a practical test performed at the end of DNS-ST3. This test will involve the individual performing DNS exercises, tests, and applying them to traditional strength training movements. They will need to demonstrate competence in DNS and be able to accurately identify movement dysfunction and properly prescribe corrective exercises.
To take this exam, attendees must have started taking DNS courses at least 1 year before and they must have passed both written tests. Any official DNS course will start the mandatory 1 year clock before one is eligible to take the certification examination.
To ensure that potential Certified DNS Strength Coaches are ready for the practical examination, we advise that they take 5 courses before they test (e.g. Exercise 1, DNS Movement Flow, or a 1 day movement skills course on the squat). This is not a requirement, but a strong suggestion.
Certified DNS Strength Coaches will go on the DNS webpage and can use the letters DNS-SC after their name. To maintain the certification, one will have to attend a DNS course every 3 years. These courses do not have to be in the strength training track.
Course Outline
24 CE HOURS
Collapsible content
Day 1
Hours 1 - 4 Introductory Lecture: Who is Pavel Kolar, PT?; Ontogenesis, Developmental Kinesiology, Sagittal Stability, Functional Joint Centration, Pathological Postures, Why is Open Scissor Posture so prevalent in strength training?
Hour 5 Workshop: Seated Diaphragm Test, Seated Respiration Assessment
Hour 6-7 Workshop: Supine IAP Test, Arm Elevation Test, Exercise variations in 3 Month Supine
Hour 8 Workshop: Prone 3 months Assessment, Corrective Exercises for 3 Months Prone.
Day 2
Hour 9-10 Workshop: Quadruped Rocking Assessment, Prone 6 months Assessment, Corrective Exercises for Quadruped and Prone 6 months.
Hour 11-12 Workshop: Bear and Squat Assessment, Corrective Exercises for Bear and Squat.
Hour 12 Lecture & Workshop: Lecture & Workshop: How to properly use a belt; Proper Breathing & Bracing for Sub-Maximal to Maximal lifting.
Hour 13-15 Workshop: Hinging Assessment and Deadlift (Romanian Deadlift, Kettlebell Deadlift, Modified Sumo Deadlift), How to Brace for the Deadlift.
Hour 16 Demonstration: Analyze several participants executing the deadlift. Teach them how to properly brace for the deadlift.
Day 3
Hour 17 Lecture: Sagittal Stabilization, Functional Competency and Movement Quality, Functional Threshold and Functional Capacity
Hour 18 Workshop: DNS Flow in the Sagittal Plane
Hour 19-20 Workshop: Pressing (bench press, push-ups, OH Press)
Hour 21-22 Workshop: Pulling (Horizontal row, Bent Over Row, Pull-ups, Chin-ups, DNS & Active Hanging)
Hour 23-24 Workshop: Squat Assessment and Squat (Goblet, Zercher, Front Squat, Back Squat)
Instructor
Michael Maxwell, DC, BHK
Through his consistent and exceptional exposure to some of the world's most recognized clinicians and educators, 20 years in the trenches helping clients and patients reach their goals, and his dedication to providing exceptional and comprehensive care in clinical practice, Dr. Maxwell is well-positioned to provide outstanding clinical continuing education. And more importantly, he is honoured to do so.
Dr. Maxwell is Canada's only Certified Instructor for Dynamic Neuromuscular Stabilization according to Pavel Kolar. He is also Canada's only Certified Instructor for Michael Shacklock's Neurodynamics Solutions - Upper and Lower Quarter Courses.
Michael has been a fitness, health, exercise rehabilitation, and manual therapy nerd since 1998. As a personal trainer, strength and conditioning coach, kinesiologist, and Chiropractor, he has sought out key mentors, courses, and conferences to accelerate the acquisition of knowledge and skills necessary to help his clients and patients.
Frustrated by the lack of practical knowledge and skills provided in his Exercise Science undergraduate degree, and inspired by the extra-curricular conferences and courses he had previously attended, Dr. Maxwell began facilitating workshops and seminars that featured practical, hands-on content, taught by industry leaders. This is what led to the formation of Somatic Senses Education. Since 2003, Dr. Maxwell has organized well over 300 continuing education courses throughout Canada featuring industry leaders such as Lorimer Moseley, Donald Murphy, Stuart McGill, Pavel Kolar, and the outstanding Prague School Physio’s, Clayton Skaggs, Brett Winchester, Michael Shacklock, Dale Buchberger, Jack Miller, Clare Frank, Robert Lardner, Mark Finch, Charlie Weingroff, and many more! His mission is simple: provide evidence-informed, practical, and world-class continuing education featuring industry-leading clinicians, educators, and researchers, with the ultimate goal of improving the standards of patient care!
Dr. Maxwell currently works with a variety of patients including recreational and elite athletes, and non-athletes looking for fast results combined with long-term strategies for improved function and pain resolution. He has an extensive background in strength and conditioning and medical exercise. He is NCCP Level 1 Weightlifting certified and spent 10 years in the trenches as a strength and conditioning coach, medical exercise specialist, and Kinesiologist before he became a Chiropractor in 2007.
